Indianapolis Public Library Board Of Trustees
Indianapolis Public Library Board
Libraries
Monday, March 25, 2024
6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. EDT
7898 Hague Rd, Indianapolis, Indiana 46256 Indianapolis, IN 46256 (Directions)
Indianapolis Public Library - Lawrence Branch
Monthly meeting of the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees.
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Indianapolis - IN Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Breone Dupree
Monthly meeting of the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees.
Hi everyone, I’ll be live tweeting the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees meeting at 6:30pm for #IndyDocumenters. Media Partners: @indydocumenters @mirrorindy
05:21 PM Mar 25, 2024 CDT
Here's a link to today's agenda: spirit.indypl.org/boardMeetingAd…
spirit.indypl.org/boardMeetingAd…
The public is invited to view/listen to the Regular Meeting via a YouTube live stream link which will be available on the Library’s website prior to the start of the Meeting as follows: indypl.org/about-the-libr…
indypl.org/about-the-libr…
We have a full quorum. Pres. Hope Tribble opened the meeting with a thank you to the women as she honors Women's History Month
Pres. Tribble commends the team involved with the strategic plan development and implementation during this critical planning process.
Marion McFadden Memorial Series speaker Misty Copeland is thanked and honored for her participation in this annual event as she accepted the Vonnegut Award.
Signatures are still requested to support the IPL license plate petition and sign at the front desk of your local library.
Ms. Rhonda Oliver, Lawrence Branch Manager, is reporting on their community and services.
Fun facts: Lawrence Library started in a postal office and is managed by the city of Indianapolis not the town of Lawrence.
Renovations taking place in 2020 left the library closed during the year until November. The library underwent sweeping changes.
Lawrence Library served 81k people with the Fort Ben Library last year and serves 41k on its on
Lawrence Library provides multiple language support including braille readings. They are proud of a braille text for the coming eclipse.
There are plenty of audio book options including Vox Books "Books that Talk"
Adult & Family Programs: Computer Workshops, Musical Concerts, Creative Writing for Seniors, and Culinary Book Club which is a new opportunity
Youth Programs: Story Times, PJ Story Time, Paws to Read, Romp & Stomp, & Teen Zone
Partnerships & Outreach: North Shadeland Alliance, Fort Harrison State Park, Faith Presbyterian, City of Indianapolis, Binford Farmers Market and others
Ms. Oliver credits the teen zone to an idea that comes from the Pike Library and thanks the library community for the great ideas and planning. It is important to focus on that group as they become the next group of adults per Ms. Oliver
Dr. Payne asks if there is a connection with the Heartland Film Festival as Ms. Oliver lets her know that's part of the Fort Bend footprint now since the splitting of the customer base between libraries
Dr. White asks if there are readings specifically for the teens and Ms. Oliver lets him know there is a graphic novel book club for them specifically but that their needs are unique
English Conversation Circle has been created for the world's languages program for non-native English speaking patrons
The braille collection is a point of importance for marketing as it's new and not known by many yet
Ms. Michelle Sharp, Area Resource Manager – Adult Services, will give the Presentation on the IndyPL Adult Programming and Services
Racial Community Actions plans have increased from 2 in 2023 to 8 in 2024
Digital Inclusion Team has seen much success with their digital programs trainings over programs like Photoshop
Immigrant Outreach recently put on a Lunar New Year Celebration to honor Chinese Americans
Class sizes are limited to provide the support each individual needs without leaving anyone behind
Soulful Journey from Adult Specialist, Jill Edwards is new program as well and receiving rave reviews.
"Reframing Aging for a New Generation" invites active-agers and those serving the 50+ community to explore the concept of the "longevity dividend".
Virtual author talks occur monthly through the Library Speakers Consortium
New financial literacy programs have been introduced that handle retirement, long-term care, and estate planning
Program locations hinge on several factors. The speaker may have a zip code focus. Space is significant. Community branches are a primary destination focus. Public transportation is considered. Budgetary concerns come up too.
Feb. 26, 2024 Board meetings motioned, seconded, had no discussions, and carried
Finance Committee presented on Report of the Treasurer – February 2024 and Presentation on Investment Report
The first slides focused on Feb revenue before moving into expenditures
Expenditures are below Summer 2023 budget amounts for all expenditure categories to date
Updates: The 2023 Audit is underway and Crowe will start 4/29/24. Budget season is starting as well
CFO was asked why personnel service costs have increased with the current amount of vacancies. Ms. Oliver responded by noting the increase in wages and benefits for the current staff
The Report of the Treasurer is motioned, seconded, no discussion, and carries
CFO is Lolita Campbell. Ms. Oliver is Lawrence Branch Manager. Mrs. Campbell is representing the Finance Committee. My apologies.
CFO Campbell is doing a deep dive into the investments and relationships with investment banks and funds
The monthly bank balances are presented with their corresponding institutions. There were no questions from the board when prompted by Mrs. Campbell.
YTD interest earnings are presented from the main account with Chase on one side and the 4 other institutions on the other to show a comparison and breakdown with average interest rate figures
Pres. Tribble asked how the allocations for the 5 banks were decided. Chase holds the operating and the rest are by the yield of the account and the liquidity needs of the funds
Resolution 12 – 2024: Policy 233 Emergency Closure Changes: (1) Decision will be made by 12AM (2) More ways to communicate the closure
Recommended by the committee, seconded, and asked if it would be flexible to weather changes which was a yes, and carried
Open Positions: 30 with 17 PT and 13 FT available with new hires pending
The openings are about the average for the library and the effect is felt across the branches not just 1 or 2 branches; many report leaving for better opportunities elsewhere (PT'ers), promotions, and retirements
The library uses many channels to find applicants with LinkedIn and Indeed being the primary methods
Dr. White presents Resolution 13 – 2024 (Approval to Award a Construction Services Contract for the Central Library 4th Floor Study Rooms Renovation Project); the committee has requested a due pass, which received a 2nd and carried
Dr. White presents Resolution 17 – 2024 (Approval to Purchase Updated Hardware for Vocera System at Central Library); Vocera is VOIP communications that can be worn on a lanyard and answer calls as well as P2P and P2G communications
The old system of walkie-talkies is outdated and needs to be upgraded. The committee requested a due pass, it was seconded and carried
Dr. White presents resolutions 14 - 16 individually and simultaneously as he details them 1-by-1, but the board will take 1 vote on all 3 together.
Resolution 14 (Approval of First Amendment of the Services Contract for Lawn and Landscaping Services to Providence Outdoor, Inc.) Resolution 15 (Approval of First Amendment of the Services Contract for Lawn and Landscaping Services to The Davey Tree Expert Company)
Resolution 16 (Approval of First Amendment of the Services Contract for Lawn and Landscaping Services to Schoolboy Landscaping and More, LLC)
Pres. Tribble requested to take a vote on these 3 together that the board approved as they are all approved by the committee, seconded in this meeting, and approved and carried by the full board
Dr. Payne is presenting the Library Foundation Updates Report
Resolution Regarding Finances, Personnel and Travel (18 – 2024) is presented by CEO Hill which was motioned, seconded and carried
He continues with CEO Report – March 2024; bilingual story time continues to be successful, Lunar New Year Celebration and Digital Inclusion were singled out in the report
Branch Program Highlights: West Indianapolis - chair yoga & Intouch Outreach; Martindale-Brightwood -Soulful Journeys of Women, Barriers & Breakthroughs; Central - Starting a 501(c)(3), Developing an Effective Board of Directors
Active Card Holders has seen active engagement with growth from 2021 to 2023
The Goals for Qtr 1: Update is being presented on strategic planning, climate improvement, and staff engagement
Added Priorites: door counter installation, Glendale Grand Opening, customer satisfaction POS ('25 will bring new self-checkout terminals), staff opportunites
March 30 is the confirmed date for Glendale branch grand opening
Dr. Murtadha asked how the surveys will align with strategic planning. CEO Hill believes there is overlap, but it's focused on customer satisfaction
Discussion & Agenda Building: Dr. White asks that the library be thinking ahead of "what-ifs" and not take up some of the backward politics happening in other states like FL & AL where a national agenda is pushing misinformation
Senate Bill 202 is challenging tenure and trying to shut down the DEI movement, per Dr. Payne in response to Dr. White. She believes it's already an Indiana concern and needs immediate action
Dr. Murtadha gave props to the Library for their efforts in maintaining a space of learning and providing books of all forms against the national agenda that wants to strip certain information for public shelves.
Dr. Tibble followed up by saying "the urgency is evolving" and that we must continue to be strategic in our ways. Also, get your eclipse glasses ASAP 😁
The next meeting will take place Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Eagle Branch Library, 3905 Moller Road, at 6:30 PM. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM
Attachments
6 attachments
Agency Information
Indianapolis Public Library Board
The Indianapolis Public Library Board’s governing body consists of seven Board of Trustees members serving 4-year terms, including:
- 2 appointed by the Indianapolis City-County Council
- 3 appointed by the Marion County Board of Commissioners
- 2 appointed by Indianapolis Public Schools
Current Board of Trustees:
- Raymond J. Biederman, president
- Dr. Khaula Murtadha, vice president
- Dr. Patricia A. Payne, secretary
- Dr. Luis A. Palacio
- Dr. Lisa Riolo
- Hope C. Tribble
- Dr. Eugene G. White
Find the meetings live-streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/@IndyPL
Find Documenters coverage of past commission meetings here: https://indianapolis-in.documenters.org/reporting/?agency=796
Library Board Committee Meetings take place at the Library Services Center, Room 226
*Meetings are typically held on the second Tuesday of each month. In 2024 there is an exception in January, May, and October.
Finance Committee meetings will be at 10 a.m. Diversity, Policy and Human Resources Committee meetings will be at 11:30 a.m. Facilities Committee meetings will be at 1 p.m.
Committee meetings are not streamed.
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